Each year the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, publishes the Human Development Report in which 189 nations are assessed according to the Human Development Index (HDI).
HDI is applied with the goal of estimating a country’s development. It allows nations to be ranked according to certain indexes such as life expectancy, education, and per capita income.
HDI ranks nations on a scale from 0 to 1 and categorizes them into one of four levels of human development. For instance:
- 0-.55 – low
- .55 -.70 – medium
- .70 – .80 – high
- .80 – 1.0 – very high
The 2023-2024 Human Development Report, published by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, details 193 nations assessed according to the Human Development Index (HDI).
The list of the 10 least developed countries
Based on the 2023-2024 HDI rankings, the world’s 10 least developed countries are:
Source: Human Development Index (HDI)
In addition to the HDI, it’s worth taking a look at the data from the Sustainable Development Report 2024. This is because the document details how the UN Member States have progressed towards accomplishing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These objectives serve as a global call to action to end poverty, save the environment, and guarantee everyone lives in a prosperous and secure world, all aimed to be achieved by 2030.
Let’s break down each of the top 10 least developed countries in terms of their development and progress towards accomplishing the SDGs.
Somalia
Somalia (HDI value 0.380) is a developing market-based nation with a population of roughly 17 million. Occupying a strategically advantageous geographical position (near some of the busiest transport routes), Somalia can function as a gateway to neighboring Ethiopia which has a much larger population of 120 million people.
The African Development Bank notes that although poverty in the country has fallen from nearly 70% (2021) to around 55% (2022), youth unemployment remains at over 30%, above the 21.7% overall unemployment rate.
Instability and violence, in addition to extreme droughts, floods, locust infestations, the pandemic, and fluctuating global food prices, have hindered the process of moving away from fragility.
Somalia’s SDGs accomplishment profile
Source: Sustainable Development Report
South Sudan
South Sudan (HDI value 0.381) is a landlocked nation in Eastern Africa. The country faces persistent tensions and armed conflicts with its neighboring states, which have exacerbated regional instability.
These conflicts have severely hampered the nation’s ability to pursue sustainable development, which depends greatly on building a diversified economy, creating jobs, and improving livelihoods.
However, the ongoing instability has hindered these efforts, leaving the country with substantial economic and social challenges.
South Sudan’s SDGs accomplishment profile
Source: Sustainable Development Report
Central African Republic
Despite its wealth of natural resources, including 470 mineral occurrences with oil, gold, and diamonds, the Central African Republic (HDI value: 0.387) remains one of the poorest and most vulnerable nations in the world.
Its infrastructure is poor, its institutions are fragile, and its residents have limited access to essential amenities. Due to severe flooding and a lack of fuel, it is believed economic growth come to an absolute standstill in 2022, following two years of near-stagnation.
Central African Republic’s SDGs accomplishment profile
Source: Sustainable Development Report
Niger
With the biggest land area in Western Africa – 1.2 million square km, Niger (HDI value 0.394) has long been a bridge connecting North and sub-Saharan Africa. Most people in the country live off subsistence farming, i.e., they raise animals and grow crops for personal use only.
UNOCHA stated that 4.3 million people (17% of the population) needed humanitarian support in Niger in 2023 (in 2022 it was 3.7 million). In addition, the country’s poverty rate in 2023 was over 50%.
With around 700,000 people seeking international protection (36% refugees, 7% asylum seekers, 5% returnees) and 64% internally displaced people (IDPs), Niger is the primary nation of asylum in West Africa.
Niger’s SDGs accomplishment profile
Source: Sustainable Development Report
Chad
Chad (HDI value 0.398) is located in northern Central Africa. The country’s hunger and poverty are aggravated by conflict and climatic issues.
Around 40% of the nation’s 16.4 million population live in extreme poverty. Besides being surrounded by warring countries, it also suffers from environmental degradation and growing desertification.
Chad’s SDGs accomplishment profile
Source: Sustainable Development Report
Mali
Mali (HDI value 0.410) is a landlocked nation located in Northern Africa. Drought and conflicts have led to a continuous deterioration of the population’s livelihoods.
The unemployment rate in 2023 decreased from 7.7% to 6.7%, while the poverty rate decreased by 0.2 % from 45.5% (2022) to 45.3% (2023). The country’s economy is anticipated to register an increase of 4.7% in 2024 and 5.3% in 2025.
Today, business in the country is hampered by political unrest, corruption, and inadequate infrastructure. However, natural riches, agricultural possibilities, and renewable energy potential in Mali make its long-term economic future seem favorable.
Mali’s SDGs accomplishment profile
Source: Sustainable Development Report
Burundi
Burundi (HDI value 0.433) is located in Central Africa. Poverty, a continually increasing population, sensitivity to climate-related disasters, low access to clean drinking water, and poor access to essential services such as health and education are some of the reasons behind food insecurity in this country.
The issue is exacerbated by a high prevalence of infectious diseases, a lack of variety in foods, and inadequate hygiene.
Burundi’s SDGs accomplishment profile
Source: Sustainable Development Report
Yemen, Republic of
Yemen (HDI value 0.424) – a sovereign state in West Asia – is currently experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises in history. The nation and its citizens have suffered enormous economic and social losses as a result of the conflict that began in 2014.
Today, approximately 21.6 million people (64% of the country’s population) need humanitarian aid. Currently, 3.5 million people are suffering from severe malnutrition, and nearly 17 million are experiencing food insecurity. Roughly 18 million Yemenis do not have access to reliable sanitation facilities and clean drinking water.
Yemen suffers from repeated epidemics of avoidable diseases, including cholera, dengue fever, and diphtheria.
Yemen’s SDGs accomplishment profile
Source: Sustainable Development Report
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso (HDI value 0. 438) is a West African country with limited natural resources. Over 40% of people in the country live below the poverty line.
Terrorist acts have targeted Burkina since 2015, resulting in population relocation. About 2 million people are internally displaced, and an estimated 2.3 million people face severe food insecurity. The humanitarian situation remains critical. Furthermore, nearly 4 million people lack access to healthcare.
Burkina Faso’s SDGs accomplishment profile
Source: Sustainable Development Report
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone (HDI value 0.458) is a heavily populated West African nation with a high level of sensitivity to climate change. Moreover, the nation’s extreme poverty rate in 2023 was estimated to be 25.3%.
The horrific civil war that ended in 2002 has affected the country’s modern history. Sierra Leone continues to struggle with the effects of the war, ongoing pandemics and political that impede progress.
Sierra Leone’s SDGs accomplishment profile
Source: Sustainable Development Report
Final word
A history of exploitation, weak rule of law, conflict and civil upheaval, harsh climatic conditions, and unfriendly, aggressive neighbors all contribute to the stagnation in the development of any country. Most of these issues are witnessed in some African countries which is why, according to the Human Development Index by UNDP, such nations as Niger, Central African Republic, and Chad have the lowest scores. Moreover, these countries will need to achieve a great many positive changes in order to accomplish the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 which seems an almost impossible task.
